Gore Lawyer (Boies) Accused of Ethics Violations!!

AP ^ | 7/19/03 | AP

[Elkiejg]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The lawyer who represented Al Gore in his Supreme Court challenge of Florida results in the 2000 presidential election has been accused of ethics violations in another case.

A Florida Bar grievance committee found probable cause that David Boies violated rules of misconduct by giving money to a client and improperly supervising other lawyers.

The committee's July 10 finding is similar to an indictment. The case will be heard by a judge appointed by the Florida Supreme Court.

The allegations stem from his involvement in a legal battle between the owners of two Palm Beach lawn-care companies. He is accused of providing unlimited legal and financial help to one of the owners because of an alleged personal relationship with her.

If found guilty, Boies could be barred from appearing in state courts in Florida, where he is not licensed to practice law but appears on a case-by-case basis.

"I think it's a shame he's been accused of something like this, and I'm upset about it," said Boies spokesman James Fox Miller, a former president of the Florida Bar.

Boies has handled several high-profile cases besides Gore's. He has represented the New York Yankees in a suit against major league baseball, and CBS in a libel suit brought by former Gen. William Westmoreland.

[Elkiejg]

We all knew a long time ago Boies was unethical ---- nice to see it's finally coming to light - no matter how trival the case.

[mass55th]

Is this an old case? I'm under the impression that he was accused of unethical behavior previously. Are these one and the same cases?

[txzman]

He was involved in unethical behaviour in the past - he tried to get Al Gore elected!

[OldFriend]

How interesting that he was described as Gore Lawyer, rather than mention his connection to the suit against Microsoft

[Free_at_last_-2001]

I'm shocked I tells ya shocked, and deeply saddened also!

[HighWheeler]

I guess Boies will be Boies

[Recovering_Democrat]

The SCOFFLAWS at the Kangaroo Florida Supreme COURT are going to rule on a case against Boise??? He'll win...he's got nothing to worry about.

[antivenom]

HMMMMMMM Boies is exposed for WHAT he is and that is merely another "principle-less democrat"...just like Dan Morales...who has 4 years of jail waiting for him.

AMAZING how many democrats are now ending up in serious legal trouble over their lack of morals and or ethics.

Hillary is NOT that far behind...I think the investigation into the illegal money she received for her NY campaign will be surfacing soon...real soon.

[mtbopfuyn]

snicker, snicker

[antivenom]

OHHHHH while thinking about it...and we have democrats running around all hot and bothered over William Bennett's gambling in casinos with "HIS OWN MONEY!!!!!!!!"

Seems to me that to many dumocrats have severely misplaced "moral outrage".

[Republic]

Sometimes the truth takes the back door route! Glad to see this man held accountable.

[longtermmemmory]

Florida has a rule against starting a sexual relationship with a client. (if you were having sex before representation, that's is ok. You just can't start up with an existing client)

Other than advancing costs to continue a case, it that involved here?

[JoeSixPack1]

Lawyer Who Represented Gore in Trouble With Florida Bar
The Associated Press
Published: Jul 19, 2003


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The lawyer who represented Al Gore in his Supreme Court challenge to Florida results in the 2000 presidential election faces three charges of ethics violations by the Florida Bar in another case.

David Boies is accused of ethics violations based on his involvement in a legal battle between the owners of two Palm Beach lawn-care companies.

A Bar grievance committee in Tallahassee found probable cause on July 10 that Boies had violated rules of misconduct by giving money to a client and improperly supervising other lawyers. The finding is similar to an indictment by a grand jury. The charges will be heard in a trial proceeding by a judge appointed by the Florida Supreme Court.

Boies is not licensed to practice in Florida, but he appears in state courts on a case-by-case basis. If he's found guilty, the Supreme Court could bar him from such appearances for any length of time or impose a lesser punishment.

"Having dealt with the monumental cases he has, done the extraordinary things he's done in his life - I think it's a shame he's been accused of something like this, and I'm upset about it," said Boies spokesman, James Fox Miller, a former president of the Florida Bar.

In addition to representing Gore, Boies has handled several high-profile cases.

In the past week, he won a class-action ruling for thousands of models suing major modeling agencies in New York and lost a decision in Court TV's suit to strike a New York law banning cameras in courtrooms. He also represented George Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees in a suit against Major League Baseball, and CBS in a libel suit brought by former Gen. William Westmoreland.

The Florida Bar charges stem from a local dispute over lawn-care contracts for Palm Beach estates that began in 1996. The case started out as a breach of contract action between Amy Habie, owner of Nical of Palm Beach Inc., and Scott and Carol Lewis of Scott Lewis Gardening & Trimming. The case degenerated into a bitter, seven-year war with multiple contempt of court orders and sanctions against Nical. Boies is accused of providing unlimited legal and financial help to Habie because of an alleged personal relationship with her.

---

Information from: The Palm Beach Post, http://www.pbpost.com

AP-ES-07-19-03 1154EDT

[Tacis]

Technical question: can a guy with no ethics actually commit an ethical violation?

[B Knotts]

Boies is currently assisting SCO in trying to shake down IBM.

[browardchad]

It's the same case, judging by the reference to the "lawn companies." Boies was also accused of a illegal campaign finance scheme (getting clients to donate money as individual contributors to another state's Dem machine and he'd pay them back), but it's not clear if that's included here.

Since "the case will be heard by a judge appointed by the Florida Supreme Court," I wouldn't hold my breath hoping that Boies will pay the piper.

[Miss Marple]

Look here!

[CyberAnt]

"The case will be heard by a judge appointed by the Florida Supreme Court"

Don't anybody get toooooo excited just yet - remember these are the people who MADE UP THE LAWS TO KEEP THE RECOUNT MOVING. I suspect they will be very helpful to Mr. Boies.

[Ann Archy]

What?? He started "schtupping" his client, Amy???? He's a lawyer...they ALWAYS SCREW their clients!!!

[Ann Archy]

Didn't he tell the judge some LIES in the Gore/Bush thingy??? I thought he was going to get a grievance filed against him for that one!

[JoeSixPack1]

He's a lawyer...they ALWAYS SCREW their clients!!!

In the past week, he won a class-action ruling for thousands of models suing major modeling agencies ....

"Thousands" hmmmmm! Busy guy!

<|:-)~~

[RJayneJ]

...violated rules of misconduct? Shouldn't that be "violated rules of conduct?" It seems like violating misconduct rules would be a good thing.

[dr_who_2]

Love these celebrity lawyers. Only in America.